From Library Staff

Metro City’s very own superhero Captain Amazing is getting too old for his job, so he’s going to need some backup. Sidekicks is the journey of some die-hard hero wannabes who wish to join the captain for one very simple reason: They are his pets, and he hasn’t been paying them any attention latel... Read More »

When a superhero needs a new sidekick, who wants the job? Younger superheroes? Those who aspire to fame? And, um, his pets? Yes, it's true, when you live with a superhero, you get inspired! Even if you're a hamster or a gecko. The Amazon summary calls it "sibling rivalry royale" and that's definitely true, but it's also about friendship and family. Dan Santat is one of my favorite children's picture book illustrators, and it turns out he also spins a good yarn. Both my son, age 5, and his several-years-older cousin got a kick out of this book.

There is maybe one instance of a character saying he "wet himself," and maybe a couple of other minor things I'd have preferred not to see. (My personal setting is for NO potty or gross-out content.) Not enough to spoil the book for me.

Metro City’s very own superhero Captain Amazing is getting too old for his job, so he’s going to need some backup. Sidekicks is the journey of some die-hard hero wannabes who wish to join the captain for one very simple reason: They are his pets, and he hasn’t been paying them any attention lately.

Read more at: http://www.librarypoint.org/sidekicks_santat

ELIZABETH RAMSEY BIRD
Jul 31, 2012

Fun, a bit of visual splendor, with enough honestly funny moments and angry hamsters to satisfy even the toughest of fans. The sole regret? That when this book hits my library shelves I’ll have to find a way to answer all those kids who immediately demand of me “Where are the other comics by Dan Santat?” Patience, kids. Let’s take one good thing at a time. And this is, above and beyond anything else, a very good thing.

Summary

Captain Amazing, superhero and savior of Metro City, is getting old. He's out all hours battling arch-villains, catching thieves, and helping little old ladies cross the street. He doesn't even have time for his house full of pets. He needs - a SIDEKICK!

Captain Amazing's four pets agree. But each one of them thinks HE should get the sidekick spot - and a chance for one-on-one time with the Captain. Get ready for sibling rivalry royale as pets with superpowers duke it out for the one thing they all want - a super family.

ELIZABETH RAMSEY BIRD
Jul 31, 2012

Captain Amazing is the defender of Metro City. Nuff said. Yet in recent years, he’s been feeling the weight of his age. It’s time for the Captain to look for a new sidekick. He hasn’t had one, really, since his cat Manny ran away from home. As of now, that leaves Roscoe the dog, Fluffy the hamster, and Shifty the chameleon. Both Roscoe and Fluffy are determined to get the job, and Fluffy recruits old Manny to help him train. Yet even if he does manage to make an impression, that may have to take a backseat to an old villain who is back in town with sinister plans. And when Captain Amazing fails to be up to the job of defeating the baddie, it falls to his pets instead to save the day.